Immigration director-general Datuk Seri Alias Ahmad has been appointed secretary-general of the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry with effect from Feb 5, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa announced on Wednesday.

He said in a statement, that Alias, 55, had been promoted to the Premier Staff III Grade and would take over from Datuk Saripuddin Kassim who has been appointed the new secretary-general of the Human Resource Ministry.

Alias, who holds a Masters in Strategic Studies and Defence and a Master of Arts degree from Universiti Malaya, joined the civil service as an administrative and diplomatic service officer on January 9, 1984.

Ali also said that Immigration deputy director-general (management) Aloyah Mamat had been appointed to take over from Alias on the same date.

Aloyah, 57, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Universiti Sains Malaysia, joined the civil service as an administrative and diplomatic service officer on August 1, 1989.

Saripuddin takes over from Datuk Seri Zainal Rahim Seman who had been appointed deputy director-general (operations) of the Public Service Department on January 13.

Ali said the appointments were made based on the qualifications, experience, knowledge and credibility of these senior government officers.

"I am convinced that the three officers will serve with full integrity and professionalism to generate new perspectives, approaches and initiatives that can drive creativity and innovation in making a success of the nation's vision, aspiration and agenda for transformation towards providing the best service to the people," he said.